woodworm in chipboard

[Steve McGuire]

Was just about to take over a business in a rented shop when I discovered extensive woodworm damage in the floor. Not old flight holes from woodworm long gone as there is a lot of evidence of recent activity. The floor has been examined by a couple of woodworm treatment companies and they say it is beyond treatment and needs completely replacing. I am considering moving to another shop as I am in a bit of a dispute with the landlord as he has said he would rather sell the property than repair the floor and grant me a lease. My question is, the current shop/business is a card and gift shop and the card racks, counter, cupboards etc are made of chipboard and MDF. Will the woodworm be in these. ie. do woodworm like chipboard and MDF. The chipboard card racks are plastic coated except for the bottom and back edges, as its only the rough end grain that is exposed its impossible to see any flight holes. Can I take these to other premises or will I be spreading the problem. The two treatment contractors had conflicting opinions. Not quite DIY, but does anybody have any advice?

[Suz]

"Another point worth noting is in relation to plywood. It is frequently thought that plywood is extremely prone to woodworm attack. While this may have been true many years ago when plywood was made with casein adhesives, modern resin-bonded plywood is unlikely to be attacked, and the same holds true for other man-made boardmaterials such as OSB, MDF or chipboard"

[Andy Dingley]

No. They're both full of formaldehyde and pretty toxic to eat.

However they're both also very damp sensitive. If you have a crummy environment, watch for them getting wet (usually from the bottom edges). If they are damp, try to dry them out completely whilst laid horizontal, before they start to bend.

In extreme cases of damp chipboard, you may get slugs - but I've never seen a worm or boring beetle.

[S Viemeister]

I have. It was in an inherited piece of furniture - lovely wood veneer, but over chipboard. One day I heard a scrabbling sort of sound and discovered dozens and dozens of small brown beetley-looking creatures exiting the furniture across the dining room floor. They were coming out of the chipboard core, and there were piles of 'sawdust' in the interior bits of the unit. This was years ago, and the cabinet was made sometime in the 1960s, so presumably different glues, etc, were used.

Sheila

[Neon]

replying to Andy Dingley, Neon wrote: Good evening just saw your post with regards to woodworm. But I am not a woodworm specialist I have a reasonable knowledge of general building and timber. prior to my present situation I would not have believed that woodworm would have attacked chipboard that a less, but alas, I have only yesterday being proved wrong. I have just inspected so flooring in what is quite a damp environment and there is some obvious evidence of woodworm. The infestation is confined to a relatively small area of the board is never less affected. We all live and learn. Hope your plans go well

[Geoff]

replying to Neon, Geoff wrote: Thanks for the info, l have recently taken up some chipboard as have to replace joists with a lot of wood worm infestation, l was surprised to see that there was clearly wood worm holes in the chipboard. This chipboard is only about 20 years old & is of the water resistant treated type, not the old fashioned non treated type so was surprised even more. I am going to replace the said chipboard flooring so just hope that we stop the problem.

[tabbypurr]

Then you have a damp problem. Sort that to stop recurrence. And use a sane portal to this place, not that website you're on. Most people block it.

NT

[Mike Halmarack]

It's the fast food generation.